[apehair]

After adjusting the valves and throttle bodies, and doing the rest of a 24K mile service, my 02 R1150 RT? is running great. But the idle is still low. It looks like it's set at 700 RPM.

Anybody know how to adjust the idle?

Thanks,

ape

 

[apehair]

Well hell, I searched before posting and found nothing. After posting, this thread came up:

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61231

Is that the last word on idle adjustment - Seafoam?

ape

 

[beech]

Did you look into the brass air screws? (removal, cleaning and adjustment)

 

[apehair]

No. I adjusted them a tiny bit when I did the throttle body sync. They looked fine. Bike only had 21,000 miles on it.

Are they often the cause of low idle?

ape?

 

[beech]

Yes, they are used together to determine the idle. The following was created by a WSBMW club rider. Be sure to check things by moving the handle bars to both sides there needs to be some slack in the cables to handle stuff. I like about 1mm or so, seems the recommended is about 2mm but it drives me crazy with the lag. In my opinion if spark plugs need gaping they are worn out. Get new ones. Sparks like to jump off sharp edges not round. Clean the brass screw tips before starting the idle adjustments and sync. Read everything you can and edit as needed.


Quick Reference R11XX, Valve Adjust and Throttle Body Sync
Valve Adjust
Settings:
Intake Clearance .006” (.15 mm)
Exhaust Clearance .012” (.30 mm)
Spark Plug Clearance .031” (.80 mm)
Adjust at top dead center on the cylinder being checked and/or set

Tools:
Valve adjust: 10 mm box, 16 mm box or socket, 3mm hex T-handle, 5mm T-handle or hex head tool, two feeler gauges for each of above referenced valve clearances, BMW spark plug wire puller. Other tools personalized by
individual choices.

Torque Settings: Valve Covers 6ft/lbs (8 NM) {72 inch/pounds}
Rocker adjust lock nuts (same as valve covers) Do not over torque! Spark Plugs 15 ft/ lbs (20 nm) if installing plugs with new gaskets. Used plugs firm up to ½ turn or less.

Throttle Body Sync

Settings: Air meter jets starting point: RS/RT 1 ½ turns from lightly seated
(Large Brass Screws) R/GS 2 turns
Adjust screws on both sides to reach an 1100 rpm idle. Screws should be about ½ turn of each other.
Adjust throttle sync at 1500 rpm with suitable balancer. Adjust on right side only. Free play on left side is .001” or just a bit of free play. Sync both throttle bodies reading the same. Make sure that there is free play remaining on the adjusted side after completing.

While doing this make sure cylinders are not overheated. I use a large shop utility fan in front of the bike to provide cooling. If nothing is available use best judgment but not more than 5 minutes.

Tools: A good balancing devise of your choice, 10mm open-end wrench, suitable screwdriver, large fan(s).

Good references are: Internet BMW Riders (http://www.ibmwr.org), Adventure Riders (http://www.advrider.com), BMW Sports Riders (http://www.bmwrt.com), BMWMOA forum (http://www.bmwmoa.org), Clymer Publications for each model, and a BMW factory manual if available. There are more sources out there if one wants to look.

Needless to say, if you chose to do your own work be careful. If there is something with which you aren’t comfortable then don’t do it or get help. This is just a quick reference to the procedure. Don’t send any attorneys to my door if something breaks while you are doing this stuff!

 

[Alfred02]

The BBS should be open 1.5 turns from fully closed to give you 1000 ~ 1150rpm idle.
If not, then your throttle bodies and particular the air-bypass passages that the BBS screw into, are most likely coked up (like they were on my 04 1150RT).

Here are your two options:

1) Simply adjust the BBS screws until your idle comes up to the correct idle rpm, using a synchronizer of course, to keep both sides balanced.

2) Do a thorough clean and tune up.

Option two will require a lot of work in labor time and some costs in parts.

 

[beech]

CRC sells a specific spray product for this .. Throttle body cleaner.

 

[JayJay]

CRC sells a specific spray product for this .. Throttle body cleaner.

I've not used it in motorcycles but it works great in cars. Beech, do you have a recommendation on how often it should be used in the bikes? I find ~75K in my cars and it keeps things from sticking.

JayJay

 

[beech]

No, not really, whenever you are in there for any reason. And when you pull the Brass air screws, squirt some down into the hole a couple of times and the throats of the units. Wherever you can think there will be build up. The fuel these days is really trouble some. Rapic breakdown, seperation, water absorbsion .. dead flies you name it. Something to use on a regular basis is SeaFoam or Techron. That would be 7500 miles in my book. Just to keep things clean.

 

[apehair]

Beech,

Just saw your post. Thanks. I'll adjust the idle with the brass screws and then re-sync the throttle bodies. Will let you all know how it turned out.

Rick

 

[apehair]

I've now got the idle running at 1500 with the choke on, and about 1100 with it off. Much better than the previous setting, which was somewhere between 600-700 with the choke off.

There's something terribly satisfying about tuning your bike with a screwdriver.

Thanks, Beech, and everyone, for the help.

ape